NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State junior offensive guard Chris Zirkle, who is on the Academic All-America ballot, Tuesday headed a group of five Demons recognized as the 2017 All-Southland Conference Football Team was announced.

Zirkle was a second-team selection after leading NSU's offensive linemen in grades in eight of 11 games, and averaging 81 percent while playing all but a few of the Demons' 782 snaps this season.

Four NSU players received honorable mention All-Southland recognition:  senior defensive end Lyn Clark, senior running back Chris Jones, junior defensive end Obinna Iheoma,  and junior cornerback Ike Warren.

They helped the Demons make the biggest jump from the preseason coaches' poll to the final standings in the 11-team conference. NSU was picked 10^th in preseason by the coaches, but finished sixth, finishing 4-5 in the league and 4-7 overall, with four of the conference losses coming to ranked teams including the three that advanced to the FCS playoffs: Southland champ Central Arkansas, Sam Houston and Nicholls.

Zirkle, who made honorable mention all-conference last year, had a single-game top grade of 86 percent in the 14-10 loss at Nicholls. He graded 85 percent in the season-ending 38-21 win over Stephen F. Austin and helped the Demons rush for 297 yards and post 508 total in a 40-36 loss Oct. 14 at Sam Houston State.

A League City, Texas native who played at Clear Springs High School, Zirkle helped protect quarterback Clay Holgorsen at McNeese as the school's 37-year-old single-game passing record fell, with Holgorsen throwing for 381 yards against the country's top-ranked FCS defense (allowing only 250 total yards per game).

Jones, from Tylertown, Miss., led the Demons and was fourth in the Southland with 786 rushing yards, an average of 4.6 per carry. He scored five touchdowns while posting a Southland-best four 100-yard rushing games, ending with a season-best 158 on 25 carries to help beat SFA. Jones also caught 12 passes for 186 yards, a 15.5 average.

Clark, a New Orleans-O. Perry Walker product, had his best season as a Demon. A dynamic special teams player, Clark was one of the league's better pass rushers, notching six sacks for minus 17 yards and seven tackles for lost yards (minus 25) among his 35 total tackles. Clark recovered two fumbles, also forcing a pair, and added three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

Iheoma, from South Grand Prairie, Texas, was fifth in the Southland with his eight sacks for 36 lost yards, and had 11 total tackles for 40 yards lost. He also made 35 tackles and led the Demons with 10 quarterback hurries, while forcing a fumble and blocking a field goal.

Warren, a Tyler, Texas-John Tyler High School product, ranked among conference leaders with 10 pass breakups while intercepting three passes. He made 34 tackles in 10 games, missing the win at Houston Baptist due to a concussion.

UCA led the individual award winners as quarterback Hayden Hildebrand was voted Player of the Year and Steve Campbell won Coach of the Year honors. The Bears' John Cook took the Offensive Lineman of the Year award, defensive back George Odum won Defensive Player of the Year, and running back Kierre Crossley was the Freshman of the Year.

Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Lorenzo Neal was the league's Newcomer of the Year while receiver and punt returner Davion Davis took the Offensive Player of the Year honor. Head coaches and sports information directors from each of the league's 11 football programs cast votes on the all-conference team and individual awards.